Cabinet door contruction



B. J. TRILLER CABINET DOOR CONSTRUCTION Aug. 19, 1952 2 Sl-IEETS--Si-IEET 1 Filed Sept. 1l, 1946 w f 1 5 Mw ...4. f WWMW% W E m3 m.. ow Jb. W. ,0 u lo ,W d c w o 0\ m 0 Q 2 /MM a J @L M @L i 2s\.wo Z 7 @J z d 1 5 y y Aug 19, 1952 B. J. TRILLER 2,607,087

CABINET DOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 1l, 1946 2 Sl-IEETS-SHEET 2 Patented Aug. 19, 1952 ce, l.

t. Farley & LoetschenrManufacturng (Jompany,V l ,3 .t Dubuque, Iowa,.a corporation,oilovva` f Applicationseptembr 11, 1.1546', serial Najesaiss l The invention Yrelatesto improvements in door construction and-more particularly to doors for kitchen-cabinets and the like.

' Cabinets of the typel commonlyvinstalled in kitchens'havebeen standardized'to the extent thatall such'cabinets are now builtto substantiallythe same height.v In custom builtcabinets and-in cabinets of the type disclosed in my co-4 pending application Serial No. 432,398, led Feb-l ruary`26,r 1942, Patent vNumber 2,466,869 issuedv April 12, 1949, compartment widths vary according to the dimensions of the wall space in which the lcabinet is to lbe installed and of course re-` quire doors of correspondingly varying widths.

The primary object of the'presentv invention is to provide an improved cabinet door structure which may be manufactured eiiiciently and cheaply in one standardsize and which is vreadily adjustable to provide doors of varying widths in a standardsize for cabinet compartments 4of maximumwidth and which canY be reduced to any required'width very'quicklyandwith simple tools. f

A further object is to provide a cabinet doorstructure including a closure panel and reinforcing framefwhich is readilyv adjustable relative to the panel vto form either an'inwardly 'facing or outwardly facing rabbet along the side -edge of the door to facilitate theinstallation of doors inpairs. f

Other objects and advantages of the -invention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the preferredvfembodiment illustrated .in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l isa rear view of a cabinet door structure embodying the features of the invention, the particular door shownhavingthe reinforcing-,frame adjusted to provide an inwardly facingfrabbet along the freeside edge of the door panel.

.Fig, 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, showing the reinforcing frame adjusted to provide an outwardly facing rabbet along the side edge of the door. l

`Fig. 3 is a rear view of the door structure as reduced-in size to i-lt an opening of less than'the standard width in which the structure. is supplied- Fig. 4. is a view showing the manner'in which the'iiged and adjustable parts of the reinforcingY frame :areassembled with` the door panel.

5 is a transverse sectional view .of thev door f4 claims.: (orzo-'35) structure taken in -a vertical plane -substantially onthe line'5-'5 ofFig. 1. Fig. -6 is afront viewoia modiiiedlform of the door structure particularly adapted for the use of a thin'pai'iel.A

- Fig. 751s a perspective view of the reinforcing.

frame of the door shown in Fig-6.4 j 1 1 A Figs.' 8,'-9 and 10 are end views' oil the door4 structure showing successive steps in the process of reducing its width. I

Fig. 11 is a detailed-view of one joints between the side sti1e= and cross members" ofjthefframe structure. f l l Y While theinvention is susceptible of-various modifications and alternative fconstruction's, I

' have shown in the drawingsrandwill hereindescribe in detail the preferred embodiment,` lbut it is to beunderstood that Ido not therebyintendto4 limit theinvention to the specific form* disclosed, but intend `to cover all modiiica'tionsr and alternative constructions falling withinthe spirit Vandscope'of the'invention as expressed in the appended claims. Referringto the drawings, the improved door structure comprises generally a flat, rectangular panel 'I4 of plywood -or other suitable rvmaterial sizevand the parts may be assembled at the fac-1 tory without regard to' the nal size of thev door when installed. The factory assembly of the parts is economical, insures 'accurate matching of the parts, and materially reduces the time and labor required to `t the doors to the' particular'cabinets in which theyr are to be installed.v

In the form of the door 'shown in Figs. 1--5v of the drawings, the reinforcing frame I5 preferably comprises four elongated'members or strips arrangedin rectangular formation and adaptedv to be secured to the inner face of the panel I4 with the respective members disposed parallel:

to and closely adjacent the four edges of the door. Thus, as shown in the drawings, the frame:-

comprises a pair of upright members or side stiles- Hand I8 adapted to lie parallelto and adjacent opposite'fside edges` of the panel I4 connected ofthe sliding.:

by cross members top and bottom rails I9 and 2U adapted to lie parallel to and adjacent the upper and lower edges of the panel. The frame members when secured to the panel as by screws 22impart strength and rigidity to the door structure and effectually prevent warping of the panel In themanufacture of the door'structure, the top and bottom rails I9 and 20 and the side stile I8 are rigidly and permanently secured together as a unit to form a U-shaped frame whilea sliding connection or coped joint 23 is 'provided' between the rails and the side stile I1, thus ,per-* mitting the two stiles to be adjustedtowardor from each other. The panels Il are all cut to the f same standard width, that is, the maximum width ordinarly required for cabinet" construction and the top and bottom rails are similarly dimensioned for maximum width. In this type of door structure, one of the side stiles I1 is permanentljT secured to each panel adjacent its hinged sideedge which may be notched for hinges as indicated at I6. o o

The U-shaped frame unit including the companion stile I8 with the top and bottoml rails I9 and 20 secured thereto is nextassembled with` the stile I 1 but is not secured to the panel at this time, the parts being frictionall-y held-,in-l assembled relation by the coped joints 23. For this purpose, theV joints are formed by providing upstanding beads 24 along the inner edges of. theA rails and the ends of the side stile I1- are provided with complemental transverse notches 25 (Figs. 4' and 5) for the reception of the beads. A` permanent rigid joint is provided between they rails andthe stile I8. o

The doors are shipped to the jobV in the condition above described, that is, with the panels I4V reduced to such desired width by cutting a strip 26 from the side edge adjacent the stile I8 as shown in Fig. 3. This can be done with a hand saw or other suitable tool and-*the edge of the panel may be planed or sanded to present a4V smooth surface.

In preparing the panel for such cutting, the'- adjustable portion of the frame I5 may be used advantageously for marking olf the line on whichv the' cut is to be made, that is,.the side Stiles" I8 may be utilized as ay straight edge for scribing the line. This simplies accurate location ofthe cut olf line as the stile is held' squarev withthc side edge of the panel by engagementof'the rails I9- and 20 with the'xed stile I1. After the panel has been properly marked, the stile I8 ismoved to an out-of-the-way position to avoid marring'- of the edge in the cutting' operation.

Having reduced the panel IllA toythe desired width, the installer ,then a'djustslthe movable por; tion of the framel I5 tolocate the; side stile I8 in proper spaced relation to the free edge of-` the" panel I4. Thus the'stilemay be spaced'inwardly from the edgev of the panel as shown-1in Fig. 1 to provide aninwardly facing rabbet atthe edge of the panel or it may beshifted solasl to extend beyond the edge of the panel' a'sishow-n in Fig. 2" to provide an outwardly facing rabbet. The doors* may be installed with the hingeszat either the right` or left side by turningY them-endrfor end and, when installed in pairs, the voppositelyfacing 4 rabbeted edges provide an overlapping joint therebetween.

After adjusting the frame I5 in the manner above described, the remaining screws 22 are driven to secure the movable frame portion to the panel I4. To facilitate this operation holes 21 (Figs.y 4'A and 5*) are drilledandfcountersunk inthe stile I8 and rails I9 and 2II at the factory. As a nal step, the projecting ends 28 of the rails I9 and 20 are sawed olf flush with the outer edge of the stile I1, the stile in this instance serving asa guide for the saw.

It will beevident that cabinet doors constructed as above described can be manufactured efliciently and: cheaply. Only one size of panel is required. Moreover, the top and bottom rails are generally alike, as 'are the side stiles I1 and I8. Accordinglyr the parts entering into the construction of the door may be produced on a mass production basis at minimum cost. Adjustment of the doors to selected sizes is also `quick-ly and easily eirectedk and only simple tools such as a saw `and ascrew driver are required for tha-t purpose. Installation costs are therefore held at a minimum rigure.

In the modied form of construction shownj in Figs. 6-11 of the drawings5 theJ 4reinforcing frame I5 is adjustable as above described but. in this case, the frame is constructed so as to sub-v.

stantiallyenclose the panel I5. -The panel may therefore comprise al relatively thinsheet l(ifbreboard or the like. i v Y Referring to the drawings, the modiiedframe I5 comprises side Stiles 33 and and top andz bottom rails 35 and 36 arranged in rectangular formation. The rails 35 and 3S in this instance are permanently secured. tok the side stiledf'and are joined to the stile33 by/ a coped joint 3 1- pennitting relative movement between thev rails and stile transversely of the frame.Vv As Shown in Fig. 11, the joints 31 are constructed sogas t0v hold. the parts in assembled relation, that-isilthe rails 35 and 36 are formed with longitudinally disposedbeads 38 adapted to engage. in Acomple-- mental undercut transverse notches 3B; in the ends of the stile 33.. The rails andthe s i'iilelsd' are permanently secured together in any vsuitable manner. o .i.. To receive and. holdjthe panel" I4;v` the ipner side edges of the stiles-3'3 andS/a-reformedwith grooves IIS-dimensionedto accommodatethe panel with a sliding t. lThe side stiles S13-and Sfr-rare made ofi substantially thicker' stock'thanzfthe rails 35 and 35 and the joints therebetweenaarer lapped/SG that: the inner faces of the elements'lie vin. a common plane while the outer faces. ofjth'ef rails" are flush with the inner edges ofthe grooves 60. Thus,; thepanels art-:supported atthe'ir'eside edges by the walls-of the grooves All and atftleir upper and lower edgesy bythe rails 35and'36 against which' the panelrests; i

,In` pracneaxtne door. .is supplied: with: panel-5: of maximum widthv which is cutto` the reduirdf size on the job. The panel of course is removed?.I

means of screws or the like, preferably drivenf through the rear faces ofv the' rails. A'- small'nail or brad' 4|y holds vthe paneiiri assemm'ed relation-L to the frame.- Finally, the? projecting' ends-'42 (Fig 9aof the rails 35 and se are cut fr nush The rails-may" with the outer edge of the stile 33 thus providing a finished door of precisely the required width as shown in Fig. 10.

With the construction above described, the side stiles 33 and 34 overlie the outer side edges of the panel as shown in Fig. 6 and are preferably rounded at the corners to present a smooth and pleasing appearance. Strength and rigidity is imparted to the door structure by the frame 32 thus enabling the panel to be made of relatively thin sheet material such as fibreboard. The savings obtained by mass production of the doors are thus further increased by the use of inexpensive material for the door panels. Moreover the doors may be quickly and easily adjusted for any installation with simple tools.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides a cabinet door construction of novel and advantageous character. Manufacture of the doors may be standardized with a substantial reduction in costs and the doors may be readily adjusted for any installation in a very simple and expeditious manner. Such adjustment requires only the use of a saw and screw driver and may be made by relatively unskilled workmen. The invention also provides a modified form of door embodying all the features of adjustment above referred to and presenting the further advantage of utilizing a relatively thin inexpensive panel of fibreboard or similar material.

I claim as my invention:

1. A prefabricated cabinet door structure adapted for on-the-job fitting to door openings of various sizes and comprising, in combination, a single fiat, generally rectangular panel, a reinforcing frame of adjustable size disposed on one side of said panel, said frame including a first elongated stile rigidly secured to one marginal side edge of said panel, opposite ends of said stile being formed to define transverse notches facing contiguous portions of said panel and defining therewith grooves each having a continuous eX- tension of uniform size from side edge to side edge of said stile, a unitary U-shaped frame member comprising a second stile generally similar to said first stile and having a pair of cross rails rigidly secured to opposite ends thereof to extend outwardly therefrom in perpendicular relation thereto, said frame member being slidably mounted on said one panel side with the inner marginal side edge portions of said rails slidably received in said respective grooves, said stiles and said rails each being formed from a single unitary structural element, said panel being reducible in size by cutting therefrom the side edge portion remote from said first stile, and said cross rails being of uniform cross sectional size and configuration throughout the extended length thereof to adapt said U-shaped member for adjustment toward and away from said first stile to vary the size of said frame proportionately to the size of said panel.

2. A prefabricated cabinet door structure adapted for on-the-job fitting to door openings of various sizes and comprising, in combination, a single flat, generally rectangular panel, a generally rectangular reinforcing frame of adjustable size disposed on one side of said panel, said frame including a first elongated stile rigidly secured to one marginal side edge of said panel, opposite ends of said stile being formed to define transverse notches each having a continuous extension of uniform size from side edge to side edge of said stile, a unitary U-shaped frame member comprising a second stile generally similar to said first stile and having a pair of cross rails rigidly secured to opposite ends thereof to extend outwardly therefrom in perpendicular relation thereto, said rails each having an elongated bead formed along the inner marginal edge thereof, said frame member being slidably mounted on said one panel side with the said beads of said respective rails slidably received in said respective notches, said stiles and said rails each being formed from a single unitary structural element, said panel being reducible in size by cutting therefrom the side edge portion remote from said first stile, and said cross sectional size and configuration throughout the eX- tended length'thereof to adaptsaid U-shaped member for adjustment toward and away from said first stile to vary the size of said frame proportionately to the size of said panel.

3. A prefabricated cabinet door structure adapted for on-the-job fitting to door openings of various sizes and comprising, in combination, a single flat, generally rectangular panel, a generally rectangular reinforcing frame adjustable in size and including a first elongated stile adapted to engage one marginal edge of said panel, opposite ends of said stile being formed to dene transverse notches each having a continuous extension of uniform size from side edge to said edge of said stile, a unitary U-shaped frame member comprising a second stile generally similar to said first stile and having a pair of cross rails rigidly secured to opposite ends thereof to extend outwardly therefrom in perpendicular relation thereto, said rails each having an elongated bead formed along the inner marginal edge thereof. said frame member being slidably mounted on said one panel side with the said beads of said respective rails slidably received in said respective notches, said cross rails both being disposed entirely to one side of said panel in longitudinal engagement therewith, said stiles and said rails each being formed from a single unitary structural element, said panel being reducible in size by cutting therefrom one side edge portion and said cross rails including said beads thereon being of uniform cross sectional size and configuration throughout the extended length thereof to adapt said U-shaped member for adjustment toward and away from said first stile to vary the size of said frame proportionately to the size of said panel.

4. An adjustable cabinet door structure as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by longitudinal grooves defined in the inner side edges of said Stiles, said grooves being adapted to receive the opposite side edges of said panel.

BENJAMIN J. TRILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 262,148 Stuart Aug. 1, 1882 281,964 Brent July 24, 1883 1,110,009 Ritter Sept. 8, 1914 1,525,603 Bodley Feb. 10, 1925 1,777,317 Land Oct. 7, 1930 2,263,930I Pasquier Nov. 25, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 54,363 Denmark Feb. 21, 1938 

